Fly to Sunshine Coast

Be blown away by the sand dunes, turquoise waters and tropical rainforests of Rainbow Beach. Here, you can kayak with dolphins, ride a horse along the sand or go for a swim in the protected northern beaches. Do the stunning Coloured Sands beach walk (you'll see why they call it Rainbow Beach) and check out the moonscape of Carlo Sandblow. 

Spend a day relaxing in Noosa, a balmy beach town with a boutique edge. Head to Hastings Street for coffee carts, art galleries, local designer stores and top-notch restaurants. This pretty tree-lined street is fairy-lit as the sun goes down, setting the scene for sunset cocktails and a boardwalk stroll. For more coastal town exploration, head south and check out Caloundra, Mooloolaba, Maroochydore, Coolum and Sunshine Beach. 

Hit the hinterland's national parks, where rainforests, walking trails and waterfalls are the name of the game. Hike the volcanic peaks of the Glass House Mountains for major panoramic views. For an epic adventure, tackle the Great Hinterland Walk, or, for something less strenuous, take in the vibrant villages of the area instead. All this, just half an hour inland from the beaches.